Corrugated container for books



Dec. 8, 1964 A. E. BOGREN CORRUGATED CONTAINER FOR BOOKS Filed May 51. 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet l Fae-.1. \9

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INVENTOR. ALFRED E. Boeuzau AT TO 2H EYS Dec. 8, 1964 A. E. BOGREN CORRUGATED CONTAINER FOR BOOKS Filed May 31, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ens-.5 f 4 INVENTOR. ALFQED E. BcezaN AT olzuEYs Dec. 8, 1964 Filed May 31, 1961 A. E. BOGREN CORRUGATED CONTAINER FOR BOOKS 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVHVTOR. ALF'IZED E. BQGIZEH AT 02M EYS United States Patent 3,160,344 CORRUGATED CONTAINER FUR BGQKS Alfred E. Bogren, New Milford, N.J., assignor to Continental Can Company, Inc, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed May 31, I961, Sen-N 113,797 9 Claims. (Cl. 229-40) This invention relates in general to new and useful improvements in containers, and more specifically to a novel container for use in protecting books during shipment.

Books are normally shipped to individual through the mails, and in order to protect the books against the rough handling normally occurring, the books are generally mailed in individual containers. However, if the containers are formed of the usual box construction, the corners of a book are still subject todamage through the deformation of the corners of the container in which they are shipped. It is therefore the primary object of this invention to provide a novel container for books which is of a simple construction and at the same time provides adequate protection for a book disposed therein.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel container for books and the like which includes a wraparound main portion defining the top, bottom, front and rear panels of the container, and recessed end panels whereby adequate protection for the ends of a book disposed within the container is provided.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel container for books wherein the container is formed from a corrugated board which includes a central portion of a wrap-around type intended to be wrapped around a book disposed therein, and the central portion having edges of double thickness formed by scoring the corru gated board through all except one layer thereof and the edge portions of double thickness carrying end panels which are recessed within the main portion of the container so as to provide the desired adequate protection for the book.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel container for use in the shipping of books, the container having recessed end panels and each of the end panels carrying a flap which is disposed about a corner of the book so as to provide adequate protection for the corners of the book during shipment.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a novel one-piece blank from which a container for shipment of books is formed, the blank being formed of corrugatedboard and having two longitudinal score lines along the-edges thereof, the score lines setting ofl a main portion of the blank which is intended to be wrapped around a book, and the score lines extending only partially through the board whereby the edge portions of the blank may be folded into overlying relation to the main portion of the blank and support end panels of the blank in inwardly recessed positions.

With the above, and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear, the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description, the appended claims and the several views illustrated in the accompanying drawing:

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the container and shows the same in its fully folded position with a book therein.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view taken through the container of FIGURE 1 and shows the general construction thereof and the relationship of a book disposed therein with respect to the container.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal vertical sectional view taken along the line 3--3 of FIG- URE 1, and shows the recessed positions of the end panels.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken along the line 44 of FIGURE 3, and shows further the details of the recessedend panels.

FIGURE 5 is a plan view of a blank from which the container is formed.

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of the blank of'FIG- URE 5 after it has been initially folded and is ready for the reception of a book.

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 7-7 of FIGURE 6, and shows the specific edge construction of the blank.

FIGURE 8 is a perspective View showing the blank in an initial stage of folding for the reception of a book.

FIGURE 9 is a perspective View showing the container in its final stages of being folded about the book.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that there is illustrated in FIGURE 1 the book container, which is the subject of this invention, the book container being generally referred to by the numeral 10. The book container 10 is folded from a blank, which is generally referred to by the numeral 11, the blank being illustrated in FIGURE 5. In order to understand the details of con-' struction of the book container 10, reference will first be made to the blank 11 and the specific details thereof.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the blank 11 is formed of corrugated board and, as is clearly shown in FIGURE 5, is of a generally rectangular outline. The underside of the blank 11, as it appears in FIGURE 5, is provided with a pair of longitudinally extending score lines 12 whcih divide the blank 11 into a centrally disposed main portion 13 andend portions 14. The main portion 13 has extending thereacross a plurality of fold lines which are disposed transversely of the blank 11 and generally normal to the score lines 12. The fold lines may be of any type, but are primarily of the combined cut and creased type.

The main portion 13' of the blank 11 includes a front panel 15 which is set off by a fold line 16. A bottom panel 17 is disposed adjacent to the front panel 15 and extends between the score lines 12. The bottom panel 17 is bounded on one side by the fold line 16 and on the opposite side by a fold line 18.

Another transverse fold line 19 extends between the score lines 12 and, together with the score line 18, sets olf a rear panel 20. A fourth score line 21 extends across the main portion 13 of the blank and divides the remainder of the main portion 13 into a top panel 22 and a front panel or flap 23. The front panel or flap 23 has rounded corners 24.

Each of the end portions 14 has a part 25 which is aligned generally with the front panel 15 and is separated from the remainder of the respective end portion 14 by an extension of the fold line 16.

Each end portion 14 also has a coextensive part 26 which is adjacent to the bottom panel 17 and extends between extensions of the fold lines 16 and'13. An end panel 27 is connected to each of the parts 26 along a longitudinal fold line 23 disposed parallel to the score line 12. A flap 2% is connected to that end of the end panel 27 which is aligned with the fold line 18 and is separated from the end panel 27 by a fold line 30 which isaligned with, but spaced from, the fold line 18.

Each end portion 14 has a part 31 at the respective end of the rear panel 20, the part 31 extending between extensions of the fold lines 18 and 19 and being spaced from the respective one of the flaps 29. The part 31 generally corresponds to the part 25, although each part 25 is slightly recessed with respect to the free edge of the front panel 15.

Each end portion 14 also includes an elongated part 32 which extends from the fold line '19 along the respective one of the score lines 12 and adjacent to the top panel 22, but terminating short of the fold line 2 1. Another end panel 33 is connected to each part 32 along a fold line 34 which extends longitudinally of the blank 11 parallel to the score lines 12. It is to be noted that the fold lines 34 are disposed closer to the respective score lines 12 than are the fold lines 28, with the result that the part 32. is narrower than the part 26.

A flap 35 is connected to an end of each of the end panels 33 generally in transverse alignment with the front panel 23. Each flap 35 is connected to its respective end panel 33 along a transverse fold line 36and is staggered outwardly with respect to its end panel 33.

The parts 25, 26, 31 and 32 of each end portion 14 are coated on the upper surface thereof with a suitable a hesive 37. In the initial step in formingthe carton it the blank 11 is folded along the score lines 12 so that the end portions 14 of the blank 11 Will overlie the main portion 13 and the adhesively coated parts will be bonded to the upper surface of the main portion 13 in the manner best illustrated in FIGURE 6. The blank 11 is now ready to be folded about a book to form the container 10.

Reference is now made to FIGURE 7 of the drawing; wherein there is illustrated a transverse section through thepartially folded blank, as the blank appears in FIG- URE 6, the section extending through a folded edge of the blank. When the blank is formed of corrugated board, the blank 11 will include an upper web 38, a lower web 3? and an intermediate corrugated member iii. Each of the score lines12 will result in the severing of the bottom web 39 and the corrugated member 40, but will not interrupt the top web 38. Thus, the relatively heavy corrugated board from which the blank 11 is formed may be folded along the score lines 12 in the manner shown in FIGURE 7, and the opposed portions of the webs SS-bonded together by means of the adhesive 37.

In the packaging of a book, such as the book B,

within the container lit, the end panels 27 are first folded to upstanding positions,;as is shown in FIGURE 8, and then the flaps 2% are swung inwardly to the positions of FIGURE 8. The book 3, not shown in FIGURE 8 for purposes of clarity, is then placed within the area generally defined by the end panels 27 and the flaps 29. Next, the end panels 33 are swung to their upstanding po sitions of FIGURE 8, and the flaps are generally swung inwardly, although not necessarily to the fully transverse positions of FIGURE 8.

In the final stages of placing the book B within the container It), the blank 11 is wrapped about the book B by folding the same along the transverse fold lines 18 and 19, at which time the end panels 33 swing down alongside the end panels 27, as is best shown in FEGURE 9. The flaps 35 are thenswung inwardly to their fully transverse positions, after which the front panel 15 is swung upwardly along the fold line 16 and thefron-t panel or closure flap 23 is swung downwardly along the fold line '21 outwardly of the front panel 15. Normally, the inher surface of the front panel or closure flap 23 will be provided with suitable adhesive for adhering the-same to the outer surface of the front panel 15, although such adhesive has not been illustrated and other securing means (not shown) could be utilized for securing together the front panels 15 and 23. i

Reference is now made to FIGURE 4 in particular, wherein it isshown that when the end panel 33 is disposed in face-to-face engagement with the end'panel 27in the completed container to, the end fo the end panel 33 which opposes the rear panel 20 is disposed between an inner edge of the part 31 and the end panel 27, with the result that outward swinging of the end of the end panel 33 is thus prevented. When the front panel 115 is swung upwardly from its position of FIGURE 9 in the completion of the container 10, that end of the end panel 33 to which the flap 35 is connected will be disposed inwardly of the the flaps 29 if it is found to be desirable.

a minimum of waste. beencut and initially folded to the form illustrated in FIGURE 6, it will be apparent that the blank does'have a rectangular outline and numerous of the blanks may 4- part 25', with the result that outward movement of the end of the end panel 33 to which the flap 35 is connected will also be prevented. Thus, outwardly movement of each end panel 33 is prevented in the completed container 10. Since the end panels 27 abut against the end panels 33, outward movement of the end panels 27 is also prevented. Also, since the book B bears against the inner surface of each of the end panels 27, inward movement of the end panels 27 and 33 is prevented.

Attention is also directed to the fact that the end panels 33 and 27 disposed at each end of the container lltl are inwardly offset with respect to the remainder of the container iii. In this manner, there are provided portions of the container N which extend outwardly of the book B packaged therein at the opposite ends of the book so as to provide cushions during the rough handling of the container it with the book B therein and thus prevent damaging of the book. 7 p

In addition to the foregoing protection of the book, it will be seen that the flaps 29 provide protection for the corners of the book, particularly at the back thereof, when the book is positioned within the container It) in the manner illustrated in FIGURES 2, 3 and 9. Thus, at the back corners of the book B, there are provided two thicknesses of container even though these corners are not particularly sharp and subject to puncturing the container l0. 7

At the front of the container 10, the container is triple reinforced due to the provision of the flaps 35 and the front panels 15 and 23. Thus, the relatively sharp corners which normally appear at the front corners of a book are suitably protected during shipment thereof within the container ltl. I

At this time, it is pointed out that it is possible to omit The back of a book, such as the book B, does not present sharp corners as do the corners of the flaps of abook remote from the back thereof. However, since no additional material is required to form the flaps 29 in the formation of the blank 11, normally the fiaps'29 will be provided.

it will be readily apparent that the blank Ill can be formed from a rectangular sheet of corrugated board with Further, after the blank 11 has be readily stacked and packaged for shipment or storage. When the blank 11 is to be untilized by the ultimate packager of books, it will be apparent that it may be readily folded into the container 10 about a book, such as abcok B. 3

It will be apparent that novel and-advantageous provision'has been made for carrying out the desiredgend. However, attention is again directed to the fact that variations may be made in the example blank and container disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

l. A one-piece shipping container for books comprising -a wrap-around main portion defining top, bottom, rear and overlapping inner and-outer front panels, said top, bottom, rear and the innerone ofsaid front panels having reversely folded end portions overlying and secured thereto; overlapping pairs'of end panels integrally connected to inner edges of the folded end portions which are secured to said top and bottom panels, thefolded end portions secured to the top panel being different in width than the folded end portions secured to the bottom panel whereby said end panels are offset transversely of said container; the reversely folded end portions which are overlying and secured to the rear panel and inner front panel being outwardly offset from said end panels thereby forming stops to prevent outward movement of said end panels.

'2. The container of claim 1 wherein said container is formed of corrugated board and said end portions are severed from said main portion with the exception of a single layer which is folded upon itself.

3. The container of claim 1 together with a book corner engaging flap on each panel of the pair of said end panels carried by said top panel, said flaps being disposed in facc-to face engagement with said innermost front anel. p 4. The container of claim 1 together with a book cover engaging flap on each panel of each pair of end panels, certain of said flaps being disposed in face-to-face engagement with said rear panel and others of said flaps being disposed in face-to-face engagement with the innermost one of said front panels.

5. A one-piece shipping container for books comprising a wrap-around main portion defining top, bottom, rear and front panels, said top, bottom, rear and front panels having reversely folded end portions overlying and secured thereto, and overlapping pairs of end panels integrally connected to inner edges of said folded end portions in alignment with said top and bottom walls, said folded end portions being of a greater width adjacent one end panel of each pair of end panels than adjacent the other end panel of each pair whereby said end panels are oifset transversely of said container, the folded end portions overlying said rear panel and said front panel being smaller in width than said folded end portions adjacent said end panels and forming stops for said end panels to prevent outward movement thereof.

6. The container of claim 5 together with a book cover engaging flap on each panel of each pair of end panels, certain of said flaps being disposed in face-to-face engagement with said rear panel and others of said flaps being disposed in face-to-face engagement with said front panel.

7. A one-piece shipping container formed of corrugated board for books comprising a wrap-around main portion defining top, bottom, rear and front panels, said top, bottom, rear and front panels having reversely folded end portions overlying and secured thereto, said end portions being partially severad from said main portion along the lines about which said end portions are reversely folded upon said main portion, overlapping and upstanding pairs of end panels integrally connected to the innermost disposed edges of said folded end portions which are in alignment with said top and bottom walls, said folded end portions being of a greater width adjacent one end panel of each pair of end panels than adjacent the other end panel of each pair whereby said end panels are offset transversely of said container, parts of said folded end portions overlying both said rear panel and said front panel, and said folded end portions which overlie said front and rear panels are adjacent the more Widely spaced end panels and form stops for said more widely spaced end panels to prevent outward movement thereof.

8. A one-piece shipping container for books comprising a wrap-around main portion defining top, bottom, rear and front panels, said top, bottom, rear and said front panels having reversely folded end portions overlying and secured thereto, and overlapping pairs of end panels integrally connected to inner edges of said folded end portions in alignment with said top and bottom walls, said folded end portions being of a greater width adjacent one end panel of each pair of end panels than adjacent the other end panel of each pair whereby said end panels are offset transversely of said container, parts of said folded end portions overlying said rear panel and said front panel being generally of the same width as said folded end portions adjacent said one end panels and forming stops for said one end panels to prevent outward movement thereof, and a book corner engaging flap on each panel of each pair of end panels with the book corner engaging flaps of said top panel end panels being slightly offset vertically so as to intimately engage the fold line separating the innermost disposed front panel from said bottom panel.

9. A one-piece blank for forming a shipping container for books, said blank comprising a corrugated board sheet having a pair of longitudinally'extending score lines along the edges thereof dividing said sheet into a central main section and end portions adapted to overlie said main portion transverse fold lines extending across said main portion and dividing said main portion into front, rear top and bottom panels, end panels connected to said end portions along fold lines extending longitudinally of said sheet and in alignment but separated from said top and bottom panels by parts of said end portions, one flap connected to each of said end panels along a fold line extending transversely of said sheet, and the flaps connected to the top panel end panels being slightly transversely offset from said top panel end panels.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,713,631 5/29 Tinsley 22937 X 2,043,483 6/36 Lynch.

2,179,830 11/ 39 Pfundstein 22937 2,526,052 10/50 Stimrnel 229-40 X 2,59 1,882 4/52 Shirley 22940 2,712,411 7/55 Boering 22940 X 2,791,369 5/57 Paige 229- 2,885,842 5/ 59 Boitcl 22940 X GEORGE O. RALSTON, Primary Examiner.

EARLE J. DRUMMOND, FRANKLIN T. GARRETT,

Examiners. 

1. A ONE-PIECE SHIPPING CONTAINER FOR BOOKS COMPRISING A WRAP-AROUND MAIN PORTION DEFINING TOP, BOTTOM, REAR AND OVERLAPPING INNER AND OUTER FRONT PANELS, SAID TOP, BOTTOM, REAR AND THE INNER ONE OF SAID FRONT PANELS HAVING REVERSELY FOLDED END PORTIONS OVERLYING AND SECURED THERETO; OVERLAPPING PAIRS OF END PANELS INTEGRALLY CONNECTED TO INNER EDGES OF THE FOLDED END PORTIONS WHICH ARE SECURED TO SAID TOP AND BOTTOM PANELS, THE FOLDED END PORTIONS SECURED TO THE TOP PANEL BEING DIFFERENT IN WIDTH THAN THE FOLDED END PORTIONS SECURED TO THE BOTTOM PANEL WHEREBY SAID END PANELS ARE OFFSET TRANSVERSELY OF SAID CONTAINER; THE REVERSELY FOLDED END PORTIONS WHICH ARE OVERLYING AND SECURED TO THE REAR PANEL AND INNER FRONT PANEL BEING OUTWARDLY OFFSET FROM SAID END PANELS THEREBY FORMING STOPS TO PREVENT OUTWARD MOVEMENT OF SAID END PANELS. 